Mattress stay



July 14, 1970 s, H w s 3,520,030

MATTRESS STAY Filed Feb. 16, 1968 50m 5 flan 140.:

' INVENTOR.

4j; 5 BY 1 J44? 0 J Arne/v57 3,520,030 Patented July 14, 1970 3,520,030 MATTRESS STAY Sara B. Hawkins, 1204 W. Pinedale Drive, Plant City, Fla. 33566 Filed Feb. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 706,057 Int. Cl. A47c 21 /02 US. Cl. 2472.5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mattress stay which comprises straps diagonally positioned across the corners of the box spring with one end of each strap attached to the opposite corner of the mattress whereby limited lifting of the mattress is possible to make up the bed but sliding of the mattress is prevented during sleeping.

This invention relates to a mattress stay and more particularly to a strap structure which may be easily installed by the user, to retain the mattress in its proper position, yet allows the edges of the mattress to be lifted, so as to permit sheets to be tucked under. It is usable with contoured sheets as well as normal sheets.

In the past, several attempts have been made to produce a device of the above nature. For example, US. Pat. 1,559,119 teaches a mattress retainer in which straps, with hooked ends, are attached to the bottom surface of a mattress to prevent longitudinal movement. The structure, unfortunately, can only be installed by the manufacturer. Also, it requires straps which must completely span the length of the bed and yet do not prevent lateral movement.

US. Pat. 2,634,426 shows a somewhat similar complete bed spanning mattress-securing device which uses a clip to secure the mattress to a steel spring. Unfortunately, it too can only be installed by the manufacturer and then can only be used with exposed wire springs. Today with box springs prevalent, the device is outmoded.

Other structures are also taught in the prior art as in US. Pats. 1,029,370 and 1,642,140. From a mere examination of the drawings of each, it will be seen that each interfere with the normal tucking in of sheets required in making a bed. The problem becomes more serious with contoured sheets.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a mattress stay which will securely hold a mattress in all directions in its proper position.

Another object is to provide a stay of the above character that does not interfere with the normal tucking in of sheets, contoured or otherwise, in making of the bed.

Still another object is to provide a stay of the above character which is simple to attach and which requires a minimum of adjustment or other subsequent attention.

A further object is to provide a stay of the above character which can be easily attached by the consumer to mattresses already possessed.

A still further object is to provide a stay of the above character which can be removed if desired.

Another object is to provide a stay of the above character which may be easily and permanently installed by the mattress manufacturer, if desired.

Another object is to provide a stay which is economical to produce.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

A mattress stay structure has now been devised which accomplishes the above objectives and basically comprises two straps at the corners of the spring and mattress, which are positioned diagonally across each comer, with one end of each attached to the spring and the other to the mattress. Such criss-cross structure enables lifting of the corner of the mattress whereby the bed can be easily made. In all situations, however, the mattress is firmly held in place and centered on the spring.

In one form, the mattress stay of this invention is marketed as a separate kit for use by the consumer for mattresses already possessed, and contains a pair of straps 14 and fastening means for each to the mattress and its spring. In a second form, the mattress stay of this invention is sold installed on the mattress and spring. Two straps and two loops are affixed to opposite corners with the length of the strap being adjustable after it has been passed through its receiving loop.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the follow ing detailed description taken in connection with the ac companying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a mattress showing the location of the mattress stay of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a prospective view showing one corner of a mattress and box spring with various forms of the stay structure of the invention afiixed thereto.

FIG. 3 is a detailed pictorial view of embodiment of the loop which the manufacturer afiixes to the edge seam of the mattress.

FIG. 4 is a detailed pictorial view of embodiment of the strap which the manufacturer installs.

FIG. 5 shows a package with the user embodiment thereon as it might be sold by department stores.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

As seen in FIG. 1, the invention, in its broadest concept, comprises mattress 10 fastened to box spring 12 at diagonally opposed corners by criss-cross straps. Two versions of straps can be used, dependent upon who is to install the stay of this invention. In the version designed for installation by the manufacturer, two straps and two loops of the type designated by numerals 14 and 16 respectively are utilized. The straps are affixed to the box spring and the loops are affixed to the mattress. Each strap 14 is folded back and attached to itself by a hook 18 on the end of strap 14 and engages one of the hook holes 20 in the strap. The reverse situation could be used, i.e., loops 16 could be attached to box spring 12 and the straps 14 'affixed to mattress 10. In the version designed for installation by the consumer for mattresses already in his possession, only two straps 24 are used. These straps are designed for easy attachment to the mattress and box spring or metal spring. Each such strap 24 has 2 fastening holes 26 at either end whereby the end of the strap may be fastened to the mattress Or spring via safety pins 28. In any event there is a criss-cross structure provided whereby the mattress 10 can be easily lifted at each corner or along any edge, yet the mattress is prevented from shifting laterally or longitudnally on the box spring. Such is especially desirable for foam rubber or foam plastic mattresses, and with mattress or box springs which have a slippery cover. These mattresses have a great tendency to shift laterally or longitudinally during use or during making of the bed.

While, for the embodiment to be attached by the manufacturer, sewing is shown as the means of attachment for straps 14 and loops 16, it should be realized that these can be attached by other conventional means, such as pinning, stapling, grommetting or other methods well known in the trade. Also, to enable periodic reversal of mattress 10, to air it or to accomplish uniform wear, two sets of loops 16 are preferably attached, one on each face of the mattress. Since a plurality of holes 20 are contained in strap 14, the length of the straps are easily adjusted.

It should be noted that it is not necessary to employ a stay of the above construction on each corner of a mattress-spring combination, but rather one on each of two diagonal corners will sufiice.

With the above described structure, a simple, economical, yet highly effective mattress stay is provided. The mattress is firmly held in place while straps 24 or 14 can be quickly and easily detached, or unfastened and refastened, for reversal of the mattress. At all times, the cortriers as well as the edges of the mattress are free to move upward far enough to allow sheets, contour or otherwise, to be tucked thereunder.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efliciently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Now that this invention has been described, what is claimed is:

1. A mattress stay for a mattress-spring combination of a bed which comprises at least two pair of straps positioned in a criss-cross arrangement between and diagonally across opposite corners of the mattress and spring, one

end of each strap being attached to the mattress and its other end attached to the spring.

2. The mattress stay of claim 1 wherein one end of said strap is afiixed by being placed through a loop and folding back upon and attachedto itself.

3. The mattress stay of claim 2 in which the strap is attached to itself by a hook in one of a multiple number of holes in the body of said strap so as to provide an adjustable length for said strap.

4. The mattress stay of claim 1 wherein one end of said strap is afiixed by attaching the ends with safety pins to the mattress and to the spring respectively.

5. The mattress'stay of claim 4 wherein two grommets are affixed to each end and said safety pins pass through said grommets with the edge bead of said mattress and said spring thereinbetween.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 373,424 11/1887 Murray 24-72.5 1,029,370 6/1912 Jacobs 5322 2,621,341 12/1952 Woods 5357 3,242,506 3/1966 Nack 5-322 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

